Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hands like Houses Release Amazing New Video

Anyone who’s ever tuned in to the Real Housewives of Melbourne knows there’s very little that’s real about its cashed up, perfectly manicured stars. If the creators wanted to cast real housewives, perhaps they should look to someone like the star of the new Hands like Houses video.

Sure she’s no glamourpuss, but there’s something very real about the woman who crumbles under the weight of domesticity in the “A Tale of Outer Suburbia” clip. It was filmed and directed by Joshua Aylett, who the Canberra band had on their wishlist for some time.

“He’s an amazing director that we grew up with in Canberra and someone that we knew we could create something a little outside of the box with,” explained Hands like Houses guitarist Matthew Cooper. “It’s always interesting approaching video clips with the intention of creating something unique and captivating, separate from the song though as well as complimentary. We absolutely love the final product and it’s definitely one of the coolest projects we’ve been part of.”

“A Tale of Outer Suburbia” is the latest song lifted from Hands like Houses album Unimagine. The band will celebrate its release with the following shows. Tickets are available at the door for all dates.

20 June 2014 – Bada Bing, Frankston
21 June 2014 – Bang, Melbourne
26 June 2014 – Hot Damn, Sydney
27 June 2014 – Riot! @ Enigma Bar, Adelaide
28 June 2014 – The Brightside, Brisbane
4 July 2014 – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MC Munk Back with Renegades of Munk

Welcome back Munk, an Aussie hip-hop veteran who’s been rapping, breakdancing, mixing, and producing since the 80s. The five-time Deadly Award nominee, who’s enjoyed fame as a solo artist and part of South West Syndicate is back with a new outfit dubbed Renegades of Munk. They’ve just released their debut single which is fittingly titled “Welcome Back.”

It’s just a taste of what’s sure to be an eclectic self-titled debut album from Renegades of Munk. It’s got one of the best guest star line-ups you’re likely to see with Anne Kirkpatrick, the Slim Dusty Band, Wilma Reading, Charley Boyter, Kutcha Edwards, and Eric Grothe Jnr. all lending their talents to the album. The album culminates with a hip-hop jam featuring more than 30 Aussie MCs including Jimblah, Rival MC, Luka Lesson, and L-Fresh the Lion.

The nine-piece Renegades of Munk will celebrate the release of “Welcome Back” with two New South Wales shows. See them at the Roller Den in Erskinville on June 6 or the Small Ballroom in Newcastle on June 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Want You to Get Up & Dance

It’s hard to keep the winter chills away at this time of year, but Boy & Bear have the perfect solution with their Get Up & Dance theatre tour.

Most artists wrap up one tour before announcing another, but not Boy & Bear. Clearly they’re enjoying playing the songs from Harlequin Dream live.

“We’ve been on the road since February and it’s been amazing getting to play for people on the other side of the world as well as doing shows in parts of Australia that we’ve never even been before,” explained keyboardist Jon Hart. “It feels like the right time to come home and play some theatre shows in venues that we’ve only ever dreamed of playing at … we can’t wait!”

The Get Up & Dance dates will be the last supporting that album’s release as well as their last local shows for 2014. Tickets are on sale now from the Boy & Bear website.

3 September 2014 – The Palais, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
5 September 2014 – The Palais, Melbourne (ALL AGES – SOLD OUT)
6 September 2014 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
12 September 2014 –The Arts Centre, Gold Coast (ALL AGES)
13 September 2014 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (ALL AGES matinee & 18+ evening show)
21 September 2014 – Opera House, Sydney (ALL AGES)
22 September 2014 – Opera House, Sydney (ALL AGES – SOLD OUT)
25 September 2014 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany (ALL AGES)
26 September 2014 – Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury (ALL AGES)
28 September 2014 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Reyne Plays Australian Crawl This August

It’s not quite an Australian Crawl reunion, but fans will enjoy the next best thing when James Reyne and a talented group of supporting musicians pay tribute to the songs of this classic rock act and its dearly departed members in August.

“Over the years we have often been asked if this could ever happen? Now is the time,” James explained. “You will never see Australian Crawl again. It just isn’t possible. This is the next best thing. We’re playing ‘ALL CRAWL.’”

With hits like “Errol,” “The Boys Light Up,” “Oh No Not You Again,” “Downhearted,” “Beautiful People,” “Fall of Rome,” and so many more to their name, these Australian Crawl shows are sure to have some of the best set lists you’re ever likely to hear. Tickets for James Reyne plays Australian Crawl: The Crawl Files Live are on sale now.

1 August 2014 – The Palms Crown, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
2 August 2014 – The Palms Crown, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
3 August 2014 – The Palms Crown, Melbourne
8 August 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane North
9 August 2014 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
15 August 2014 – The Enmore, Sydney (with Dragon)
16 August 2014 – Canberra Theatre Playhouse, Canberra
23 August 2014 – The Astor, Perth
29 August 2014 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
30 August 2014 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shelley Segal Wows me with “Morocco”

Where has Shelley Segal been all my life? This gorgeous Melbourne chanteuse is preparing to release her third studio album An Easy Escape on June 6, but this is first time I’ve heard her music. It certainly won’t be the last though, because after listening to the lead single “Morocco,” I’m a real fan.

Shelley was inspired to write the song after visiting Marrakech and Essaouira.

“I was completely blown away by the beauty of the country and the colourful, carefree, fun time that was available to me as a tourist,” she explained. “Slowly as the trip went on I began to see some of the darker sides of what it was like for many who lived there.”

The shooting of the video took Shelley back to Morocco where she got to experience “a whirlwind of people, bustling markets and beautiful seaside” all over again.

Shelley will celebrate the release of An Easy Escape with the following shows.

13 June 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
26 June 2014 – The Vanguard, Sydney
28 June 2014 – Paynesville Wine Bar, Paynesville

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hailey Cramer Impresses with “Liquid Confidence”

Hailey Cramer has come a long way since lending her vocals to Pez’s 2008 smash “The Festival Song.” She’s since toured with Blue King Brown and collaborated with the likes of Gotye, The Grates, 360, and Michael Franti. And now she’s stepping out on her own with the release of her amazing new single “Liquid Confidence,” which hits iTunes today.

It sounds so slick and smooth, but there’s a real edge to this song which speaks about the darker side of alcohol and the toll it can take on relationships. Hailey wrote the insightful song too, proving she’s got much more than silky vocals to offer.

Hailey will launch “Liquid Confidence” with a show in front of hometown fans at Northcote Social Club on June 5.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Announce My Second Mistake Tour

Busby Marou’s Farewell Fitzroy is one of those albums which has so many amazing songs that it’s hard to choose a favourite. But “My Second Mistake” is definitely amongst them. The playful song about fidelity, growing up, and a healthy dose of Catholic guilt now has an official release and an awesome Jim Henson-esque video to accompany it.

The Queenslanders are currently supporting James Blunt at the moment, but this is really just a warm-up for the headliner shows they’ll play on their My Second Mistake tour. It’ll be a real party with ex-Powderfinger guitarist Darren Middleton and banjo-wielding maestro Karl S Williams coming along for the ride.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 July 2014 – Brolga Theatre & Convention Centre, Maryborough (ALL AGES)
26 July 2014 – Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, Gladstone (ALL AGES)
27 July 2014 – Capella Cultural Centre, Capella (ALL AGES)
8 August 2014 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
9 August 2014 – Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart
10 August 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
14 August 2014 – Baroque, Katoomba (18+)
15 August 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra (18+)
16 August 2014 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale (18+)
21 August 2014 – Collector Hotel, Pararamatta (18+)
22 August 2014 – The Cambridge, Newcastle (18+)
23 August 2014 – The Basemen, Sydney (18+)
24 August 2014 – Waves, Wollongong (18+)
29 August 2014 – The Soundlounge, Gold Coast (18+)
30 August 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Achieve Personal Chart Best with “Que Sera”

Justice Crew have achieved their best chart success to date this week, after “Que Sera” clocked up a third consecutive week at number one.

As I predicted, Sia reaped the benefits of her conversation-starting performance on Ellen. Her current smash “Chandelier” jumped five places, from number ten to number five this week.

Sheppard’s “Geronimo” flagged a little this week, dropping three places to land at number six. Iggy Azalea was back in the top ten this week with “Fancy.” The song climbed two positions to sit at number nine.

In the albums charts our local talents were clustered down the bottom of the top ten. Chet Faker’s Built on Glass climbed three to be our best Aussie performer at number seven. This week’s most improved must go to Rufus though, who climbed from number 50 to number eight with Atlas. INXS have fallen four places, but 41 weeks after its release they won’t complain about sitting at number nine with The Very Best.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Achieve Personal Chart Best with “Que Sera”” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Velociraptor Cure Mondayitis with “Ramona”

Mondays can be a little difficult to swallow, but Velociraptor is set to make yours much brighter with the release of the video for their new single “Ramona.”

The Brisbane 10-piece shot the clip in just one day, which suits the spontaneous energy of the track perfectly. It’s got a bit of a low-tech Tron feel to it which is so much fun.You can see it at Music Feeds.

“Ramona” is lifted from Velociraptor’s debut album, which will hit stores later this year.

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Skryptcha Releases Comeback Single “What We Do It For”

Sydney MC Skryptcha was a hip-hop force for more than a decade before a plague of personal problems saw him taking a two-year hiatus. He thought he’d quit the business for good until the desire to make music overwhelmed him.

The result is “What We Do It For,” an ode the people who’ve supported him along the way and the diversity of the world at large. It also features smooth soulful vocals from Evan & The Brave’s Daniel Mifsud, who some of you may remember as an Australian Idol finalist way back when.

Only time will tell where Skryptcha goes from here, but it’s great to have him back.